Tiruchengode Malai

Mountain of the Holy Red Peak(1923) high. The legends have spawned a multitude of names fir the hill such as Aravagiri, Brahmagiri, Bogimalai, Chakkiri Meru, Dhenugri. According to the Ramayana legends , the hill fell off from the Sanjivi when it was carried aloft by Anjaneya, the Monkey God. Another legend claims that the hill was the result of a combat of strength between vayu, the wind-god and Adhisesha, the thousand -head serpent king. Adhisesha coiled himself around the Himalayas and Vayu tried to dislodge him by huffing and puffing. So fierce was the resultantstorm that Gods saints implored the scrpent king to yeild. Adhisesha slightly raised one of his hoods in order to listen better, when Vayu increased the force of wind and tore off the raised hood along with five peaks. The peaks, stained with the snake's blood, flew through the air and landed at where they are now. One of the five peaks is this Nagagiri (Snake Mountian) the other four being Kanjamalai, Sankagiri, Pushpagiri (otherwise known as Morur Malai) and Urasa Kuntha Kottai hill. After the combat was over, Kamadhenu, the divine cow, ontained from siva the grant of the five peaks and consecrated them with her milk. They, collectively known as Panchanaadi Kodumudi, are: Dhanjayanaadi Kodumudi, Dhevadhat- Thanaad-Kodumudi - Kumaranaadi Kodumudi, Kurukathanaadi Kodumudi and Rishabanaadi Kodumudi.

 

        The mountain is perceived as a symbol and a sacred place composed of male and female elements , the peak stained with  the male serpent's bold and consecrated by the divine cow. The sacredness and symbolism are further emphasized by the Siva temple on its top which is dedicated to Arthanari female.

 

 

Arthanari Isvarar Koil

The only Siva temple in Tamil Nadu dedicated to the Halfed-woman lord.  The temple is situated on the Thiruchengode mountain at a height of 465 metres. The chief deity is a statue of 5' high and is believed to have been created by siddhars out of a herbal compound. The temple also contains shrines for Murugan (Chengottu Valavar) and Vishnu.

 

It is a large temple whose outer walls measure 260' east-west by 198' north-south. The temple itself is 170' long and 95' wide. the main structures of the temple date back to the seventh century. Some of them (Artha Mantapam Maha Mantapam, NariGangapathy Mantapam, Sabha Mantabam, and Thandava Pathirai Vilasa Mantapam) were constructed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The north gate tower. Built  in the 1550s was renovated in the 1880s. The stone images of Kumarasamy Kangayam (who built the halls of Nari Ganapathy and Thandava Pathirai) and his four wives are on two pillars. Local traditions claim that these pillars cure the ague of worshipping sufferers.

The traditions also claim stone Nandhi in the dance hall came to life and ate grains on hearing the songs of Sivaprakasar, a visiting Saiva saint.

 

The stone  window facing the main shrine lets in the rays of the evening sun for three days year. The fall first on the feet of the deity and slowly move upwards to the head as if in a devotional act of caressing.

 

Kailasanathar Koil

This Siva temple is known as the Kizh Kovil (Lower temple) with reference to its location in the town as against the Mael Kovil (upper temple) of Arthanari Isvarar which is up on the hill. Its chief deity was referred to as Vikrama, Pandeesvarar after the Pandian King Vikrama who is said to have begun the construction of the temple. He has also given his name to a nearby hillock. Thiruvikrama Achalam, noe known as Korai Kuttai. His name is also associated with the Pandisvarar of the Uchi Pillaiyar Kovil on the summit of the Thiruchengode hill.

 

The construction of this temple was completed mostly by Aithappa Immudi Nallathambi Kangayan of Morur in the sixteenth century. He has also built a shirne for the Lord's consort, Parimalavalli, or in Sanskrit, Sukantha Koonthal Ambikai (Mother with perfumed Hair ) The western tower was built in 1663 and the stone base of the 76' high eastern entrance tower was built in 1663 and the stone base of the 76' high eastern entrance tower was built in 1664 by R. Kondappa Aiyan. In 1679, the massive pair of doors for this entrance was contributed by Veera Chetty. The pillars of the small but stately Nandhi hall are covered with beautiful carvings. The Brahma Theertham a well in the courtyard of the temple is accessible through an entrance in the breast of a nandhi Khubam(hallow bull) built of brick and mortar, a design similar to the one that existed in the Raja Thottam, Salem, and the one that exists in the Sukvana Isvarar temple , Salem.

 

The monolithic lamp-pole in the courtyard ( 60 ' high 32 ' factes) Is said to have been carved in 1551 by Arthanari Chetty of Amarakoni (Amarakundhi) According to the oral traditions , the erection of the post was found impossible even after hundreds of people laboured for days. A paria (untouchable) woman named Pavoy, daughter of Vellia Thotty, lifted it single -handedly when she went into a trance. An image of her is seen on the post. In appreciation of her miraculous help, she and her descendants were given a grant of lands. A well in the southeastern part of the town is skill known as the Parian Pazhi.